Taylor-made for biggest job, that's Howard Webb

THE last Englishman to referee a World Cup final believes that Howard Webb is fulfilling his destiny by taking charge of tonight’s Holland v Spain showdown in South Africa and will seize the opportunity with both hands.

Howard Webb is so proud to represent England in front of a global audience on the grandest stage []

And Jack Taylor, who refereed the 1974 showpiece in which hosts West Germany beat the Dutch, insists he always tipped Webb for the very top.

Taylor, an 80-year-old former butcher from Wolverhampton, said: “We get a lot of referees coming through the Football League, and when Howard came through I remember saying to Richard Scudamore (FA chief executive) that he was the best we’d produced for a long time.

“He looks the part and he’s terribly fit.

“His father was a very active referee as well, so Howard was brought up on refereeing – it’s part of his make-up and part of his past.”

Webb himself described his appointment for the Johannesburg showpiece as the “ultimate honour”.

The 38-year-old from Rotherham, who will be supported by assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, said: “It is a wonderful honour and a privilege. We are proud to be representing the English FA as well as FIFA and all the other officials here at the World Cup.

“We will be proud to show the ability and quality of match officials in England.

“This is the World Cup and it’s massively important for the world. We understand the importance of the game and we will need total focus and concentration.

“We will try to be a calming influence where we can and use all our experience of big games.”

The three English officials are all sons of referees and the three dads will be watching at Soccer City tonight.

Mullarkey admitted being close to tears when the English trio learned they had been selected for the final.

He said: “We had not been chosen for any of the quarter-finals or the semi-finals, so you do start to wonder.When we were actually told it was an incredible moment.”

Cann added: “This is the culmination of 20 years’ hard work and is the greatest honour we can receive as match officials.”

Police sergeant Webb will be hoping for a quieter night on the beat than the one experienced by Taylor 36 years ago.

He awarded Johann Cruyff’s side the first ever World Cup final penalty within two minutes of the kick-off in Munich, then awarded one to Germany 23 minutes later.

Taylor said: “It’s just one of those things but it was amazing really.

“The Germans hadn’t even touched the ball, and the first time they did was when they had to fetch it out of the back of the net.

“It is something you do look back on but I just gave them as I saw them.”